Index and signal



Jan. 3, 1950 c, wo s 2,493,211-

' INDEX AND SIGNAL Filed May 17, 1945 (WHY/mam Patented Jan. 3, 1 950 INDEX AND SIGNAL Carl F. Wolters, Kenmore, N. Y., assignor to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 17, 1945, Serial No. 594,330

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a card index having an index card provided with an adjustable signal. It has particular reference to a card having an attached signal which is readily shiftable along the margin of a card but is securely retained in the position in which it is set against accidental displacement.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide a series of offset overlapping or visible record cards with sheaths or pockets on their exposed margins for receiving tabs or strips of vari-colored material serving as signals for the information placed on the card.

According to the present invention. there is provided a simple and novel combination of record card and index signal, adapted to be mounted in either horizontal or vertical relation in a card index, wherein the customary pocket may be dispensed with if desired, and wherein the signal engages the card in a positive manner securing it from accidental displacement.

The invention provides a signal that is mounted on an index card or folder by direct engagement therewith and at the same time is adjustable to display varying amounts of the signal on one side of the card or folder in providing a signalling operation along a margin of the card or folder. The folder or card and signal are constructed for cooperation to support the signal in any adjusted position on the card or folder against accidental displacement.

The principles of the invention, and the advantages to be gained therefrom, will be apparent from the following description of typical embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

. Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a record card having an adjustable signal mounted 'on a vertical edge thereof;

' Fig. 2 is a section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the signal element shown in. Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation of a record card having a modified form of signal element mounted along a horizontal edge; and,

- Fig. 5 is a perspective of the modified signal element.

As shown in Fig. l, a record card I [I is provided along one of its vertical edges H with a rectangular slot l2 and an index I3 having an origin point at the upper edge of the slot and extending along the vertical margin above the slot in the card. The index 13 is herein shown as a series of continuous blocks marked oil into the months of the year, but it will be obvious that any other suitable legends may be applied, as the card may be employed for numerous kinds of statistical information and records. It should also be understood that the card l0 may be either an original record card upon which entries are made directly, or it may be formed with slots to serve as a holder card for an original entry card. Likewise, the card IE! may be provided with legends on both faces, so that signals may be given on either side.

A signal strip l4, shown in perspective in Fig. 3, is adapted to be positioned in the slot 12 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The signal M comprises an elongated body portion 15 of any suitable material, such as clear or colored plastic flexible sheet material, having an overall width slightly less than the length of the slot l2. One edge of the strip may be smooth, but the outer edge I 6 is serrated or otherwise formed with numerous projections. While the number may vary, there should be at least as many teeth or projections along the edge It as there are index divisions along edge 1|, so that the signal may be set in any desired signalling position. It will also be apparent that the spacing between the projections should be such as to enable the strip to be set in various positions corresponding to the spaces along the index 53.

Each end of the strip M is provided with an upstanding lug IT, one of which is formed with a rolled lip i8 facing in one direction, while the other is formed with a lip i9 facing in the opposite direction. The width of the lugs I1 is such that they may be passed through the slot I2 when the signal I4 is disengaged from the card IE3. Referring particularly to Fig 1, a signal I4 is positioned along the card by slipping one end through the slot I2, flexing the signal and card, and engaging the lips l8 and I!) over the edge H from opposite sides of the card, thus causing the signal to be visible in part on each face of the card Ill. The height of the lugs I7 is moreover such that, as the lips engage the edge, the signal body i5 is pulled toward the edge ll, thus causing one or more of the teeth along the edge l6 to lock into the corners of the slot l2. It will be seen that, since the body portion i5 is of slightly less width than the length of the slot, and the lugs i? are slightly shortened with respect to the distance from the slot to the edge ii, the edge I6 is pulled up against the outer edge of the slot, thus binding and holding the signal in adjusted position.

When the serrated form of signal shown in Fig. 3 is employed, the projections provide a very positive type of connection between the signal and card, and thus safeguard against slippage or accidental displacement even when the card I is mounted with the index I3 along a vertically disposed edge. The signal may nevertheless be readily moved along the card simply by flexing the parts to release the abutting edges of the body I5 and the slot I2, or by releasing one of the lips I8 or I9, as desired. The lug I! on the exposed face of the card also serves as the index ing tab for the index I3, while the concealedxlug I! may be employed for a similar purpose on the back of the card if front and back indicia are provided.

It is preferable to form the slot I2 as an aperture having a continuous wall, rather than as a slit extending inwardly from the edge of the card, although for some purposes an angularly directed slit could be incorporated without departure from the spirit'of the invention. With the construc tion as shown, however, the signal I4 is securely positioned throughout its entire length with respect to the margin of the card, and accordingly the tilting or jumping of the signal, as has been heretofore encountered in some types of signal devices, is prevented. Because of the positive engagement, no sheath or pocket is required in so far as the signal itself is concerned.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is quite similar to that just described, and accordingly comparable reference numerals have been employed for related parts. The card is herein shown, however, as carrying an index 23 along a horizontal edge 2|, which of course may be either the upper or lower edge, as the card may be turned in any direction without dislodging the signal 24. The signal body 25 terminates at each end in lugs 2'! provided with reversely directed lips 28 and 29, and it is-inserted in the card slot 22 as previously explained. However, the upper edge 26 of the signal 24- is made perfectly smooth, instead of being formed with projections, inasmuch as there-is less likelihood of slippage when the card is mounted with its index along a horizontal edge. Accordingly, the frictional engagement between the edge 26 and the slot 22 may be relied upon to overcome accidental displacement.

The paper stock. or other material for the card II] or 2ilmay be of the sameweight and quality as that heretofore foundacceptable for articles of this nature. While experience has not revealed any chafing or cutting of the locking edge of the slot I2 or 22 by the signal, it is obvious that the wall of the slot may be reinforced, if. the material itself does not have sufiicient toughness.

The signals above described and shown in the drawings may be mounted onthe margin of a card, sheet or folder of any kind. now usedand well known for cooperation-withan indexon said margin. The position ofthe signal maybe readily adjustedalong the. margin to expose a larger orsmaller portion of the signal over the margin of the card on one side and thereby secure an efficient signalling of the: desiredinformation by the variation inthelength of the exposed portion of the signal.

The invention claimed is:

1. An index comprising a card formed with a slot adjacent but spaced from'an edge thereof; an index on the margin of said cardbetween the edge and said slot, and a; signal positioned through the slot and having body portions dis- 4 posed against opposite faces of the card in spaced relation inwardly of said edge and margin, said signal being formed with lateral extensions terminating in lips engaging the edge of the card and facing in opposite directions.

2. An index comprising a card formed with a. slot spaced inwardly from an edge thereof, and a signal positioned in the slot and having body portions disposed againstopposite faces of the card, said body portions having lips extending laterally and facing in opposite directions for embracing the edge of the card, said lips being positioned on the signal for holding an edge of the signalunder tension against a wall of the slot, said signal being movable through the slot to vary the'length' of the portions thereof overlyingthe margin of the card on opposite sides.

3. An index comprising a card formed with a slot spaced inwardly from one edge thereof, an index on the margin of said card between said slot and edge, said slot having a continuous wall, a signal comprising a straight-edged flexible strip extending through-the slot'parallelto'said edge, and having an" edge engaging the wall adjacentsaid margin, and lug portions on'oppm site ends'of the signal formed for overlapping said edge of the card and retaining said signal in engagement with said wall.

4; An index comprising a cardformedwitli a rectangular slot' adjacent an edge thereof, a-

signal having a'bo'dy portion extending through the'slot and disposed against opposite faces of the card, lugs formed on the ends of the signal extending to'the edgeof'the card, said lugs'being formed with oppositely'facing' lips overlapping andengaging the edge of the card; the dimensions of the lugs being suchthat' they may be freely passed through the slot and tension the body portion against a wall'of 'the slot' when thelips are in card edge engaging position.

5. An indexcomprising a card formed with a slot adjacent but spacedfrom'an edge thereof, anda signal positioned-in said slot; said signal having a body portion disposedthrough the slot against opposite faces of the card'and lugs at the ends of the body portion extending-to the adjacent edge of the card, said lugs'terminating in oppositely facing lips overlapping the edge of the card, the width of the body portion being less than the length'of the slot and the height-of the lugs being such that upon engagement of the lips with said edge the body portion is drawn into engagement with a wall of the slot.

61 An index comprising a card formed with a slot adjacent an edge'thereof, and a signal positioned in the slot, said signal having a body portion and lugs adapted to engage the edge of the card, said body portion being formed with serrations adapted to engage onewall of the slot.

'7. An index comprising a card formed with a slot spaced inwardly from an edge thereof, and a'signal formedof an elongated strip positioned in said slot and movable along the cardparallel to the margin of' said card between said slot and edge; opposite ends of said'signal projecting in opposite directionsfrom said slot over oppdsite faces of the card adjacent said margin, and

lugs at the ends of said strip extending laterally therefrom oversaid'margin to'the' adjacent edge of said card, said lugs being formed at theends with oppositely facing lips overlapping and engaging the edge ofsaid' card for slidably retainmg said signal on said-card, said signal and card having cooperative: engagement therebetween for retaining said: signal in: adjusted" position along a margin of said card.

8. A signal for an index comprising an elon- REFERENCES CITED gated strip of flexible material having a body portion formed at opposite ends with lugs exg s figgw gf gsf are of record m the tending laterally from one edge of the strip and p lying in the same plane with the body portion, 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS overturned lips formed at the ends of said lugs Number Name Date in spaced relation from the edge of said body 1 876 236 Jackson Sept 6 1932 portion, said lips extending in opposite directions 1898862 Walker Feb 1933 relative to the plane of said strip. 2297682 Attw 9. A signal as claimed in claim 8 wherein the 10 00d n O 1942 edge of said body portion at the side from which said lugs extend is serrated to form a plurality of projections.

CARL F. WOLTERS. 

